Posted on 01/13/2006 4:49:31 AM PST by Neville72
Taiwan breeds green-glowing pigs By Chris Hogg BBC News, Hong Kong
When lit up in the dark, the pigs glow green Scientists in Taiwan say they have bred three pigs that glow in the dark.
They claim that while other researchers have bred partly fluorescent pigs, theirs are the only pigs in the world which are green through and through.
The pigs are transgenic, created by adding genetic material from jellyfish into a normal pig embryo.
The researchers hope the pigs will boost the island's stem cell research, as well as helping with the study of human disease.
The researchers, from National Taiwan University's Department of Animal Science and Technology, say that although the pigs glow, they are otherwise no different from any others.
Taiwan is not claiming a world first. Others have bred partially fluorescent pigs before. But the researchers insist the three pigs they have produced are better.
In daylight, their eyes and skin are green-tinged
They are the only ones that are green from the inside out. Even their heart and internal organs are green, they say.
To create them, DNA from jellyfish was added to about 265 pig embryos which were implanted in eight different pigs.
Four of the pigs became pregnant and three male piglets were born three months ago.
Green generation
In daylight the researchers say the pigs' eyes, teeth and trotters look green. Their skin has a greenish tinge.
In the dark, shine a blue light on them and they glow torch-light bright.
The scientists will use the transgenic pigs to study human disease. Because the pig's genetic material is green, it is easy to spot.
So if, for instance, some of its stem cells are injected into another animal, scientists can track how they develop without the need for a biopsy or invasive test.
But creating them has not been easy. Many of the altered embryos failed to develop.
The researchers say they hope the new, green pigs will mate with ordinary female pigs to create a new generation - much greater numbers of transgenic pigs for use in research.
You first, FRiend!
green eggs and ham
Note the author's name.
The green pigs share their hope.
Another step towards transgenic people.
It wont be long now before there is a glowing human.
Screwing around mixing DNA isnt in Gods plan IMO.
If it can be done in Humans sooner or later some future Mengele will do it.
This is not a glow in the dark green pig ping.
Guess the researchers will find out how you say "eeew" in Oink.
I generally try to stay away from green pork.
How did Chris Hogg end up penning this story?
Whats next, Brundle-Fly?????
I suppose it would help someone who wakes up next to one in a dark room after a night of drinking.
Yes its true. And they are really really stupid.
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